A VET who rented out an unlicensed house in Liverpool to students was fined £5,000.

Martin Boyd, of Cavanakirk, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, pleaded not guilty at Liverpool Magistrates Court to renting the seven-bedroomed property in Hawarden Avenue, Wavertree, without having the necessary House of Multiple Occupancy licence. He was found guilty and as well as the fine was also ordered to pay the council’s full costs of £3,627.

Cllr Ann O’Byrne, cabinet member for housing, said; “This prosecution was brought by our HMO team and it sends a clear message to landlords.”